What is the Difference Between Angioplasty and Stent?

Angioplasty and stent placement are two interrelated procedures used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. The main difference between the two is:

• Angioplasty: This is a procedure that involves using a balloon to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery. It is also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The procedure does not require open-heart surgery and can be performed in an emergency setting, such as during a heart attack, or as elective surgery.
• Stent: A stent is a small, expandable metal mesh tube that is inserted into the newly opened area of the artery during the angioplasty procedure. The stent is left in place permanently to help keep the artery from narrowing or closing again. Most modern angioplasty procedures involve stent placement. Stents can be coated with medicine to help prevent the artery from closing in the future.

While both procedures aim to improve blood flow to the heart, they serve different purposes during the treatment process. Angioplasty is the process of opening the clogged artery using a balloon, while the stent is a device that helps hold the artery open and prevents it from narrowing again.

Comparative Table: Angioplasty vs Stent

Angioplasty and stent placement are two procedures used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Here is a table comparing the two procedures:

During an angioplasty and stent procedure, a flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery and guided to the blockage using X-ray imaging. The balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated, opening the blockage and improving blood flow. If a stent is used, it is left in place within the artery to provide long-term support and prevent the artery from narrowing or closing again. This procedure is typically performed in a catheterization laboratory and takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours to complete.